Temperature control device

ABSTRACT

A temperature control device is disclosed for a metering head of a paper machine. The control device includes a metering head fabrication, the fabrication defining an internal cavity. In use of the metering head, the cavity is filled with a liquid. A displacement tube is disposed within and extends along the cavity for optimizing a flow of the liquid along the boundaries of the cavity for permitting accurate temperature control of the metering head.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Complete application pursuant to Provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60/798,209 filed May 5, 2006. All of the disclosure of U.S. Ser. No. 60/798,209 is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a temperature control device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a temperature control device for a metering head of a paper machine.

2. Background Information

For a metering head on a paper machine to perform properly, it is imperative that the head be kept from bowing due to heat transfer from the solution being applied to the roll or paper. To accomplish this, the head needs to be heated to the solution temperature or designed to be thermally stable. Thermally optimized designs have been used in the past but none are completely thermally stable. Prior art arrangements for heating the head provide separate internal water chambers in the head fabrication. The problem with such prior art approach is that these arrangement limit the surface area available for the heat transfer and are relatively expensive to manufacture.

The present invention maximizes the surface area for heat transfer and reduces manufacturing costs.

Also, the present invention maximizes the heat transfer from the water to the head fabrication to keep the head from thermally induced bowing. In prior art arrangements this was achieved by having separate internal water chambers in the head fabrication.

The present invention eliminates the need for separate internal water chambers. This is done by creating a solid stainless steel, watertight fabrication and filling the entire internal cavity of the fabrication with water. To minimize water weight and optimize water flow, displacement tubes are welded inside of the head. To further optimize water flow along the boundaries of the water cavity, intermittent ribs with cutouts along the side plates of the cavity are welded transversely across the fabrication This approach according to the present invention maximizes heat transfer from the water to the fabrication while reducing manufacturing costs.

The present invention is different from traditional attempts to heat the metering head in that the entire internal cavity is used as the water chamber instead of creating small water cavities in the head.

Therefore, the primary feature of the present invention is the provision of a temperature control device for a metering head of a paper machine that overcomes the problems associated with the prior art devices and which makes a significant contribution to the papermaking art.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a temperature control device for a metering head of a paper machine that maximizes heat transfer from the water to the fabrication while reducing manufacturing costs.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art by a consideration of the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention contained herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a temperature control device for a metering head of a paper machine. The control device includes a metering head fabrication, the fabrication defining an internal cavity. The cavity in use of the metering head is filled with a liquid. A displacement tube is disposed within and extends along the cavity for optimizing a flow of the liquid along the boundaries of the cavity for permitting accurate temperature control of the metering head.

In a more specific embodiment of the present invention, the fabrication is of stainless steel and is of fluidtight construction.

Moreover, the fabrication has a front side and a back side, the cavity extending between the sides of the fabrication.

Also, the fluid is water and the displacement tube has a first and a second extremity. The first extremity of the tube is secured to the front side of the of the fabrication and the second extremity is secured to the back side of the of the fabrication.

More specifically, the first extremity of the tube is welded to the front side of the of the fabrication and the second extremity is welded to the back side of the of the fabrication such that the displacement tube is sealed relative to the cavity and is disposed within the cavity.

Additionally, a first side plate is disposed within the cavity adjacent to the front side of the fabrication and a second side plate is disposed within the cavity adjacent to the back side of the fabrication.

A plurality of intermittent ribs are disposed along and between the plates, the ribs being welded to the plates such that the ribs are disposed transversely between the plates.

Furthermore, each of the ribs of the plurality of ribs defines a cutout for permitting a flow therethrough of the liquid.

Many modifications and variations of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art by a consideration of the detailed description contained hereinafter taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings which show a preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, such modifications and variations fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a temperature control device according to the present invention for a metering head of a paper machine; and

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the various views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a temperature control device generally designated 10 according to the present invention for a metering head generally designated 12 of a paper machine. As shown in FIG. 1, the control device 10 includes a metering head fabrication generally designated 14, the fabrication 14 defining an internal cavity 16. In use of the metering head 12, the cavity 16 is filled with a liquid 18. A displacement tube 20 is disposed within and extends along the cavity 16 for optimizing a flow as indicated by the arrow 22 of the liquid 18 along the boundaries of the cavity 16 for permitting accurate temperature control of the metering head 12.

In a more specific embodiment of the present invention, the fabrication 14 is of stainless steel and is of fluidtight construction.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the fabrication 14 has a front side 24 and a back side 26, the cavity 16 extending between the sides 24 and 26 of the fabrication 14.

Also, the liquid 18 is water and the displacement tube 20 has a first and a second extremity 28 and 30 respectively. The first extremity 26 of the tube 20 is secured to the front side 24 of the fabrication 14 and the second extremity 30 is secured to the back side 26 of the of the fabrication 14.

More specifically, the first extremity 28 of the tube 20 is welded to the front side 24 of the fabrication 14 and the second extremity 30 is welded to the back side 26 of the fabrication 14 such that the displacement tube 20 is sealed relative to the cavity 16 and is disposed within the cavity 16.

Additionally, a first side plate 32 is disposed within the cavity 16 adjacent to the front side 24 of the fabrication 14 and a second side plate 34 is disposed within the cavity 16 adjacent to the back side 26 of the fabrication 14.

A plurality of intermittent ribs 36 and 37 respectively are disposed along and between the plates 32 and 34, the ribs 36-37 being welded to the plates 32 and 34 such that the ribs 36-37 are disposed transversely between the plates 32 and 34 respectively.

Furthermore, each of the ribs 36-37 such as rib 36 defines a cutout 38 for permitting a flow therethrough as indicated by the arrow 22 of the liquid 18.

In operation of the device 10, the water 18 flows as indicated by the arrow 22 through the cavity 16. The water 18 flows around the outside of the tube 20 which operates as a displacement tube. Although one tube 20 is described, several tubes could be welded inside the cavity 16. Accordingly the water flows around the tubes inside the cavity 16 for accurately controlling the temperature of the fabrication so that the temperature of the metering head 12 along the entire width thereof is accurately controlled.

The present invention provides a relatively simple and inexpensive means for accurately controlling a temperature of a metering head. 

1. A temperature control device for a metering head of a paper machine, said control device comprising: a metering head fabrication, said fabrication defining an internal cavity; in use of said metering head, said cavity being filled with a liquid; and a displacement tube disposed within and extending along said cavity for optimizing a flow of the liquid along the boundaries of said cavity for permitting accurate temperature control of the metering head.
 2. A temperature control device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fabrication is of stainless steel.
 3. A temperature control device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fabrication is of fluidtight construction.
 4. A temperature control device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fabrication has a front side and a back side, said cavity extending between said sides of said fabrication.
 5. A temperature control device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fluid is water
 6. A temperature control device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said displacement tube has a first and a second extremity, said first extremity being secured to said front side of said of said fabrication, said second extremity being secured to said back side of said of said fabrication.
 7. A temperature control device as set forth in claim 6 wherein said first extremity is welded to said front side of said fabrication and said second extremity is welded to said back side of said fabrication such that said displacement tube is sealed relative to said cavity and disposed within said cavity.
 8. A temperature control device as set forth in claim 4 further including: a first side plate disposed within said cavity adjacent to said front side of said fabrication; a second side plate disposed within said cavity adjacent to said back side of said fabrication.
 9. A temperature control device as set forth in claim 8 further including: a plurality of intermittent ribs disposed along and between said plates, said ribs being welded to said plates such that said ribs are disposed transversely between said plates.
 10. A temperature control device as set forth in claim 9 wherein each of said ribs of said plurality of ribs defines a cutout for permitting a flow therethrough of the liquid.
 11. A temperature control device for a metering head of a paper machine, said control device comprising: a metering head fabrication, said fabrication defining an internal cavity; in use of said metering head, said cavity being filled with a liquid; a displacement tube disposed within and extending along said cavity for optimizing a flow of the liquid along the boundaries of said cavity for permitting accurate temperature control of the metering head; said fabrication having a front side and a back side, said cavity extending between said sides of said fabrication; and said displacement tube having a first and a second extremity, said first extremity being secured to said front side of said of said fabrication, said second extremity being secured to said back side of said of said fabrication.
 12. A temperature control device for a metering head of a paper machine, said control device comprising: a metering head fabrication, said fabrication defining an internal cavity; in use of said metering head, said cavity being filled with a liquid; a displacement tube disposed within and extending along said cavity for optimizing a flow of the liquid along the boundaries of said cavity for permitting accurate temperature control of the metering head; said fabrication being of stainless steel; said fabrication being of fluidtight construction; said fabrication having a front side and a back side, said cavity extending between said sides of said fabrication; said fluid being water; a first side plate disposed within said cavity adjacent to said front side of said fabrication; a second side plate disposed within said cavity adjacent to said back side of said fabrication; a plurality of intermittent ribs disposed along and between said plates, said ribs being welded to said plates such that said ribs are disposed transversely between said plates; and each of said ribs of said plurality of ribs defining a cutout for permitting a flow therethrough of the liquid. 